Today we celebrated..................

The twin's turning ONE!!! It was a great day with our closest friends and family with us! We had a lot of fun, ate some really yummy cake, and watched the kids enjoy all their new toys and presents! Here are just a few of my favorite parts of the day. I won't add all the photos now, cause as you can imagine I am exhausted and it is already almost one a.m. But here is a sneak peek of the action with more to come tomorrow! :)

I was in love with the cakes that Tammy from www.atasteofwhimsy.com made. AND they tasted twice as good as they looked! They were SPECTACULAR!!!!


Poor Claire is still sick, but that didn't stop her from helping to open presents. Here she is checking out the new pony that Granmom got her.



Daddy and his mini-me are grinning cause they know that cake is about to be served! These boys love their sweets!



The birthday boy! Playing with one of the many new toys that he got! He had such a ball checking everything out. He truly enjoyed every present that he got!



The party cake and the baby's smash cakes on the table prior to the party starting. I told you I was in love with these cakes! I might have taken more pictures of them than I did the twins! J/K!

Keaton was soooo sleepy by this time, but he knew something exciting was about to happen, so he managed to hold his eyes open long enough to see what it was!


Claire patiently waited on all of us to see what was going to happen next! :)


They tolerated our singing of happy birthday but look a little confused as to what these giant things are in front of them!


Keaton decided pretty quickly that he liked the cake, but he liked it much better once Micca started to help him eat with a spoon!


Claire took matters into her own hands! We had no idea that she was such a master of the spoon until today! This girl could give Kyndall a run for her money when it comes to who is the best shoveler!! :)


She really, really enjoyed herself! I am not sure what she liked best though, the spoon, or the cake?


I am pretty sure that I make this same face when I eat! LOL! :)


I for sure see more utensil time in this girls future.....but maybe not with a giant smash cake!



Keaton knows what's good he loved his cold glass of milk to go along side of his chocolate cake!




This was what was leftover when Big Bubba headed to the bath tub! This pretty much sums up the day! Exciting, messy, worked over, and a little tired looking.....but so worth every minute of work that we all put into making the party fun for the twins! I am sad that they are one, but glad that we got to celebrate it in such an awesome manner!

Hope everyone else's weekend was as blessed as mine! :)

Notes from the twin's one year check-up!

Baby "A" a.k.a: Claire Elizabeth

Weight: 19 lbs 4 oz.'s up from 5 lbs 8 oz.'s at birth and 5 lbs even when she left the NICU!

Height: 28.5 inches

Head cir: 46 cm

Still our little petite girl. She seems much lighter than Keaton even though only a pound seperate them. She is pulling up and standing all the time with help from the couches and coffee tables. We just know that she is going to take off walking any day now. Claire has her two top and bottom teeth, and is working on a third. We almost never know when she is getting new teeth because number one she hates to have anyone look in her mouth and number two she hardly ever fusses over it! She is the only child of mine that cut her teeth in the traditional order starting with bottom first. All the others got top in first. She is good natured and a born explorer. A true beauty, she gets compliments everywhere that we go. She is a natural people magnet and that shows in her personality! We are working on moving from a bottle and formula to a regular sippy and milk. So far she is resisting, but it might have something to do with her still being sick. Maybe in a few more weeks she will be transitioned. She loves to eat solid/table food and sneak drinks of Kyndall's chocolate milk whenever she finds a sippy unattended.



Baby "B" a.k.a: Keaton Tyler

Weight: 20 lbs. 4 oz.'s up from 5 lbs. 4 oz's at birth and under 5 lbs. when we left the NICU!

Height: 29.5 inches! Even though he looks shorter than Claire, the measuring tapes don't lie!

Head Cir: 45.3 cm

Keaton looks to me like a chunky boy, but he is only in the 10-25th percentile for boys in all of his measurements. He is a loving little guy, and needs his momma to hug and kiss on him several times a day. (which I don't mind at all) He is just now starting to be brave enough to go off on some adventures with his sisters. For the longest time he would play by himself while they hung out. But now he is starting to get in on the action. Keaton is tender hearted and usually gets his feelings hurt more easily than Claire, but he is quick to forgive and as long as there is an open lap to occupy he is better in no time! He has his top two teeth and one on the bottom too. It seems like it takes him so much longer than Claire to cut his and he gets way more upset while they come in than she ever does. That's a man for ya! He eats Cheerios by the handful and is notorious for reaching over and helping himself to Claire's food and her sippy cups (after he tosses his own on the floor) He is also cruising all around the house, and crawls at the speed of light. He is taking to whole milk much better than Claire. Although he also prefers the bottle still to the sippy. His big blue eyes continue to melt my heart and I can't wait to see what new things he learns to do in the coming months!

I am so blessed to have three healthy, happy children. All of which have distinctly different personalities and quirks about them. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Being a mom is truly the best and most rewarding job I have ever held. :) I love these guys with all my heart!

Wordless Wednesday

Hello Summer, If you are listening we are ready for ya!!!!

Geez, where have I been????

Well friends, I think I may have momentarily lost my bloggin' mo-jo. But have no fear, now that several of the large tasks I was busy with are done, I think it may have found it's way back home! :) So sorry to keep any loyal readers that I might have in the dark about what is going on with me, but let's face it, I have been BUSY!!!! Here is a run down of my past few weeks.

First of all the weekend before my big tag sale with Andrea, Tricia, and Brandie at the Washington Building Claire became really ill. It started with a really high fever that Sunday night. It was 104 and she was shaking and having a really hard time breathing. So off to the E.R. we went. We even went the extra distance to Bowling Green in hopes of getting her the best care possible (which would ultimately not be the case) Anyhow, after a four hour wait, they called us back and saw us for all of four minutes. Diaganosed her with a double ear infection and put her on an antibiotic. Since the extra tylenol they had given her in Triage had brought her fever down under 100, I was okay with the diagnosis. So we decided to go on home and just monitor her overnight. Claire is usually the first one up in the mornings and the next day she was still asleep long after the other two kids were up. Very strange, but I tried to tell myself that it was the late night at the hospital catching up with her. So by 10 a.m. I was on the phone to her dr. cause something just didn't feel right about what they had told me the night before. So that Monday I got to spend ALL day at the graves gilbert clinic with all three kids in towe, having every test run on Claire under the sun, because low and behold the E.R. had told us incorrectly and she had NO SIGN of ear infection AT ALL. Needless to say I was a little hot about the crappy service we had gotten at the E.R. And on top of everything else we were back at square one in regards to what was wrong. So they began the tests at GGC.... Bloodwork, RSV, flu, strep. Poor thing was worked over good! All the illness tests came back negative, but her bloodwork showed an extremely elevated white blood cell count. We still weren't sure what the problem was and had to wait 48 hours for the bloodwork cultures to completely develop. The next day, they thought she would have to be hospitalized since she kept getting sicker and wouldn't hardly eat or drink. But praise the Lord she did start to take her bottle once I got her back over the the GGC and she was able to produce a urine sample for them. So they were confident that she wasn't dehydrated, and gave us clearance to go home and keep waiting. By this time she had been given two Rocephen shots, so I was hoping they would be so strong they would nab whatever was ailing her. Long story short, after almost a full week back and forth at the dr. office, several shots, tons of tests, and a lot of sleepless nights later we never did get an official diagnosis of what was wrong. She basically had an infection somewhere that her body was fighting. Lucky for us, she got better and is back to her old self, and no one else in the house got sick either! That is a blessing in itself!

So the rest of the week, I prepared like a mad woman for my huge tag sale. Luckily for me my friends helped me to unload, price, and sort my stuff until 3:30 a.m. the Friday night before the sale. But man was it worth it. I never realized how much stuff I had accumulated for these kids until it took up half of the building where the sale was! I should have taken a picture of it all! You all would be shocked! But as I said, it was worth every ounce of effort. We had a great turnout and I sold a ton of stuff! All in all it was a great day, condsidering I made money, got to spend time with my good friends and had more space to fill up with stuff in my basement when it was all said and done! :)

This past week was filled with then preparing for the Lil Angels Attic sale. I didn't really pressure myself to much with it. I just put a little over one hundred things in it. Since most of my stuff was still organized from my sale, it was easy to tell what I wanted to include and what to leave out. Weds. I got to drop my stuff off and work my volunteer shift. The kids all went to the childcare that Broadway provided and liked it a lot. Kyndall had a blast and would have stayed all day if I had let her. Keaton and Claire were really good, but when nap time rolled around they definetely wanted to be in their own beds, so we packed up and headed back home. I was glad to have gotten a good time to drop my stuff off on Weds. Last time I didn't bring my items until Thursday and by then the sales floor was so full that my stuff didn't make it out for the pre-sale that night. I think having it there earlier helped a lot. I sold over half of it and was surprised that some of the things that didn't sell last sale were the first to go this year. Just goes to show that you never know. Of course the best part for me was shopping the pre-sale. I got a bunch of great stuff and got everything at great prices! I was totally happy. I went back on Saturday for the half off day and got great items then too. I love a good deal. And to me as long as I make a little more than I spend, then the sale is a success! That isn't the same philosphy Jordan goes by, but oh well! He didn't do all the work getting ready to sell the stuff, so he doesn't get a vote in that matter.

Wednesday was a hard day for me, so it was good that I was busy with the sale. The twins first birthday was that day and I am still having a struggle with the fact that my babies aren't really babies anymore. Since we aren't having any more kids, it makes each birthday that mine have a little bittersweet. Each milestone that they reach, will be the last one that I get to share with an infant. They are no longer so dependent on me. They hold their own bottles, go where ever they want to play, don't want to stay long when I hold them. It is really just a sad, sad realization that my kids are all growing up. I know that I don't need to have any more kids. Three is perfect for me, but I still get a little twinge of wanting when I see a girl who is pregnant or see a newborn baby. I think it is even harder for me to get past, because I feel like I missed out on enjoying so much of the twins babyhood. It is hard when you have multiples plus a toddler to truly enjoy the small things that they do, that you so quickly forget, yet long to have back. I know I am blessed to have three wonderful, healthy, beautiful kids and I am in no way complaining. It is just starting to become real how quickly they grow and if you don't write down or photograph things while you can you might never get that chance again! Boo hoo!!!

Well I think that brings us pretty much up to-date on our household. I am still working hard at my diet/exercise and first place. I have lost almost 13 pounds. So that has been really positive. I am on the right track. I tackled step aerobics again tonight, and no matter how hard it is, I have vowed to keep on truckin'! I want to get lots of use from the YMCA membership I am paying for! :)





A year in pictures/review!


Who knew 365 days would go by so quickly! Above is a photo, from the first few days the twins spent in the NICU. Even though I don't feel like a year has passed since then, their time there in the hospital does seem very far away. I am so glad they are healthy today!


One of the pictures we have of all four of us. Kyndall is missing since she wasn't allowed in the NICU. I still cry looking at their sweet little bodies and perfect round heads. Even though you can't tell here, they each had such distinct personalities right from the start, that they have stayed true to even today. AMAZING!


So small and sweet, they used to put up their arms and turn their heads exactly the same way when they rested. It was like even sleeping, they knew what the other was doing. :)



First fourth of July celebration at our church. I always thought that both kids had a lot of hair then, but looking at it now, they both seem a little bald! LOL!



Claire Elizabeth around six months old!



Keaton Tyler around six months old also!



365 days later, so grown up and independent. Hanging out in the morning having one of their only bottles of the day and watching Sesame Street with their big sister. So grown up! :)



One her actual birthday! I was trying to get a good picture of Claire and Keaton together, but she had other ideas! This was after she crawled away at lightning speed and then turned around and laughed at me when I chased her! This girl is WILD! :)



This was the best picture I could get of Bubby Keaton, he kept shutting his eyes, I guess the flash was hurting him. But you can still see what a little man he is growing into. Those blue eyes and that blonde wavy hair just melts my heart. He is momma's boy! :)


Well that is all the pictures for now. I could upload them all night and never be through. There is one thing these kids don't lack and that is photos! Even though I do look back and wish I had taken a few more to remember everything. But oh well, that would just be more to scrapbook. Hope everyone is doing well and I promise to be a better blogger......just let me get the twin's first birthday party out of the way this next weekend! :) SHEW!

Wordless Wednesday!

Well maybe just a few words.....I am still sick.....with the flu....it stinks! I will take this as my lesson to always get my flu shot. Always. Always. Always! I make my kids do it, so I should too!!! I have not been sick for this long in a very, very, very long time. I will be doing the happy dance when it is all said and done. So once the sickness leaves I promise to be a better blogger, but for now you will have to be satisfied with some cute pics of my beautiful kiddos (if I do say so myself) ! Happy Wednesday everyone, hope your health is better than mine at the moment! :P


Claire with my empty water from working out. This thing is as big as she is, almost! :)


All smiles! Although she looks like she is up to no good! What a stinker!!!


My sweet boy and his handsome little face! Such a cutie pie!


Keaton on the move! This boy finally has crawling figured out and he is pretty speedy too!!


Kyndall showing off her new fake smile. Most of the time she won't have anything to do with my camera, but on the rare chance she does we get something like this! Shew...Hollywood here we come! LOL!

New scrappin' love!

Just wanted to share a few projects that I finished up here lately. Not all of them are exactly new, some of them were started months ago, but were still missing a little something. I added journaling to a few, embellishments here and there, and just some this and that! The important thing is now they are officially completed and safe and sound in Kyndall's album and our family album. I am wishing for some more scrappin' time in the near future. Let's see if the craft fairy grants it or not!

We had a busy weekend and I am still under the weather. So tonight it is out of my norm and early to bed. Even though it is already 10:30....I have promised Jordan I would come to be before 11, so I will update tomorrow on the events of our fun past few days! Hope everyone enjoyed their Friday-Sunday! TTFN!

Wordless Wednesday!

knee deep in kids stuff!

Hi everyone! I have been slackin' on the bloggin' lately due to sickness and just overall busy-ness at my house! I am glad to report that I am feeling a lot better and so is Keaton. I wish I could say the same for Ms. Claire. On top of her sinus infection she has popped another tooth, this time on the top and she is really in miserable teething mode. I feel so sorry for her. I can tell she is really feeling down cause for the past few days she has just wanted to be held and cuddled and close to me. For a girl that is usually always on the go and can't even stop to take a bottle, that is a huge difference. So I am hoping and praying that in a few more days the sinus infection will clear up. She finished her antibiotic today, so it shouldn't be long. Then from there she might get some relief with her teeth too!

Aside from tackling half of our household being under the weather, I am also knee-deep in a major sale preparation. I was lucky enough to get a consignor number in the Lil Angels Attic sale, but after I surveyed all my kids stuff I was going to have way more than the 150 items they allow you. When you have to purchase baby stuff in two's it really adds up! So I decided to rent out a place here in Scottsvegas to have a sale of my own. Then whatever is left from that can go on the the Lil Angels sale. Trust me I have enough to go around! I have bouncey seats, exersaucers, bathtubs, toys, playgyms, and tons, and tons, and tons of clothes that need to go! They are consuming half of my basement at this very moment!!! Considering Kyndall never wore the same outfit twice until she was about two, I guess you can imagine how much stuff I have!! Claire was able to wear a few things of Kyndall's but because of the difference in the seasons I had to buy a lot of new stuff for her too. It all just really adds up! I keep all my stuff in great condition since I usually sell it when I am done with it. I am a major stain stalker and asked for five bottles of Oxiclean for Christmas if that tells ya anything! LOL! :) So I had lots of people contacting me about looking at my stuff before I took it to Lil Angels. Rather than hassle with a bunch of different people coming to my house at all different times, I figured it would be easier just to do one big sale in a central location. So on February 28th from 8-2 I will be hosting a huge tag sale at the Washington Office Building in Scottsville. Most of my things will be kids items as I mentioned above. Girls clothes sizes 0-18months and boys clothes size 0-12months. But I will also have my hairblossoms, bow holders, and some scrapbook items (supplies as well as pre-made) albums for sale. Also my friend Andrea is going to have a bunch of nice primitive items for sale. If anyone is interested in more details about the sale or would like to come and set up a few tables yourself feel free to message me on facebook.

So that is what I have been up to. On top of that the twin's first birthday is looming in the near future. But luckily the supplies have been bought and the invitations are about complete. So it has taken a backseat for the moment to the other tasks at hand. Hope everyone is enjoying their week. I will update later, if any more exciting news comes my way! LOL! :) TTFN!

sick, sick, sick

Today has been a day of yuckiness. I am sick. Claire and Keaton are sick. Just feeling crummy all around. It is one of those days, when you don't do much but move from the bed to the couch and back again. I am very thankful that my fabulous mother-in-law was able to take the twins this morning so that I could rest and Jordan & Kyndall could go to church. I slept most of the time while they were gone. Then once Jordan got back with the whole crew they all actually cooperated and took naps at the same time. That was super for me, it meant I could go back to bed for awhile and not feel like a neglectful mommy. Now Jordan and Kyndall have gone back to church and it is just C & K and I at home. We are all grouchy! I am really bummed, cause this is the only time I have missed first place so far. I was really looking forward to getting weighed in, cause I did so well this week. :( I guess that is just motivation to keep on doing good, so my number will be even lower next sunday. I just hope I am feeling better by morning, so I can go back to full time mommy duty @ 100%. So if anyone has any feel better wishes could you please send them our way. I will be glad when we are all back to normal (whatever that is!).

Hope everyone had a better weekend than me, and was able to get out and enjoy some of the gorgeous weather! I am mad about missing that too, but that is a whole other post! :) TTFN!

Keeping babies out or mama in??? I am not sure sometimes! :)

This is what I see most nights when I am in the kitchen making dinner. It absolutely cracks me up. Claire has been doing it for quite awhile, but Keaton has just recently figured out he can come over and watch his mama through the baby gate. They look so funny as they peer through at me. Sometimes they will yell as if to say hey remember us, let us in this thing. Other times they just stand and watch. Content to see what I am doing and happy to see the world in a different way. The funniest times are when Claire puts her face up against the mesh and sticks her tongues through the holes. These kids are so funny. It is strange to think that we won't have to always have these gates up. That one day the kids will be free to go anywhere when they are older. But for now, I enjoy making dinner without three little ones around my feet. Although we do have the occasional escapee as Jordan or I go in and out. But for the most part the gate does the job. God bless the person who invented the baby gate! :)